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The Courage to Speak A Special Event for Parents

and Community Thu., May 17 • 6:30-8:00 p.m.

HS LGI • FREE admission Don’t miss this important evening as nationally renowned

speaker Ginger Katz shares the story of her son’s losing battle with drugs, and how this personal loss has inspired her to speak out in the hope that others may learn to recognize the telltale signs of alcohol and drug use and what to do about it for their loved ones.

Issues to be addressed: • Signs to look for • Alcohol and drug prevention • The code of silence and its dangers • Addiction and its impact on families • What to do if your child is using drugs including alcohol • How to recognize risky behaviors and relationships

For more information, visit her website at www.couragetospeak.com or call Toni Plummer at 589-2030.

Students Attend GCC Youth Conference

A group of seventh- and eighth-grade students attended the spring Genesee County Youth Conference at Genesee Community College. Mr. Shrout and Mr. Archer accompanied the students on what has become an annual event over the past fve years. The conference is offered on an annual basis to local seventh and eighth grade students in an effort to address many areas of interest to students of middle-school age.

This year’s theme was “Make Your Own Luck.” The keynote speaker was Big Rob the Motivator. Rob’s game is to motivate students to reach their full potential. He gives students the extra boost of inspiration and motivation to acquire and achieve the “impossible.” Big Rob challenges students to claim who they are regardless of their circumstances.

After the keynote students attended two morning workshops, were provided lunch, and attended an interactive afternoon workshop.

Workshops were offered in the areas of: Yoga, Internet Safety, Careers, Zumba, Building a Better Self, Restorative Justice, Money Game$, Therapeutic Beneft of Animals, Building Blocks To Your Future, and many others. Students could choose their workshops.

The students had a great time and wish to thank all of the educators, staff, and volunteers that made this such a great experience.

Attendees were: Nicholas Andrews, Katelyn Beach, Tyler Brett, Caroline DeLaura, Grace Elschker, Terry Green, Miranda Howell, Jabari Johnson, Maleah Knight, Jasmine Kremer, Allison Mathes, Lillian Mathes, Sarah Mathes, Kylee Otero, Jordan Postle, Nia Rodriguez, Belen Rosario Soto, Lliam Rowella, Alejandro Samsel, and Charlotte Symons.

End of Year Events May 14 ............ Board of Education Meeting at 7pm,

ES Conference Room A May 15 ............ Budget Vote (12-8 p.m.), ES Conference Room A May 21 ............ Academic Honors Convocation at 7 p.m.

Hickory Ridge May 22 ............ HS Crossroads Magazine Premier & Art Show

2:30 p.m, HS Foyer May 29 ............ FFA Banquet at 6:30 p.m., ES Cafeteria June 1 ............. Workplace Internship Breakfast at 8 a.m.

HS Cafeteria June 3 ............. Senior Baccalaureate at 7 p.m., Holy Family Parish June 4 ............. Board of Education Meeting at 7 p.m.

ES Conference Room A

June 8 ............. Senior Prom from 6-11 p.m. at Hickory Ridge Red Carpet Arrivals 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.

June 11........... Last student day for HS June 12 - 21... HS Regents Exams June 13........... Beginner Band Parent Meeting at 6p.m.

ES Cafeteria June 14 .......... Flag Day Program at 9:30 a.m., ES Gym June 15 ......... Senior Class Night at 7 p.m., MS Auditorium June 18 & 19. Kindergarten Graduation at 5:30 p.m.

MS Auditorium June 19 ......... 5th-Grade Moving Up Day at 10 a.m., MS Auditorium June 21 ......... Last Student Day June 22 ......... HS Graduation at 7 p.m., HS Gymnasium

ALBION CENTRAL SCHOOL • Achievement, Character, and Success for Life! 8

ALBION Central School District Purple Eagle Pride

THE

Link Volume 32, Number 2 | www.albionk12.org | Albion, NY | May 2018

Albion Senior is New York State Oratorical Contest Winner

Pictured: Melissa Barnosky is congratulated by Zone 5 Chairman Lee Brusino.

On March 3rd, Melissa Barnosky took 1st place at the New York State Constitutional Speech/Oratorical Contest in Albany. Melissa competed against four other zone-level winners from across New York State. Melissa received a $6,000 scholarship.

As the New York State winner, she moved on to the National Oratorical Contest. It took place on April 14-15 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She competed against 53 other contestants from around the country.

It was a long process to get to the state-level competition. First Melissa had to win the school contest. Then she moved on to the county level where she competed against students from all fve Orleans County schools. She then moved on to the district level in Buffalo, where she competed against students from Western New York schools. She advanced to the zone-level competition in Mount Morris and competed against students from an eight county area to be the Zone 5 representative at the State contest.

The oratorical contest is a program coordinated by The American Legion. Melissa was sponsored by our local Sheret Post 35.

Albion Central School Music Department Named “Best Communities for Music

Education” ELEVENTH Consecutive Year

Pictured: Elementary School chorus members Kailee Anstey, Annabell Toman Weese, and Hannah Aman-Rademacher perform “The Song in My Heart” during

the All-District Chorus Concert.

For eleven consecutive years the Albion Central School District has received national recognition by NAMM Foundation as one of their “Best Communities for Music Education.” Only 583 school districts in the country share this honor for their commitment to and support of music education.

The NAMM Foundation acknowledges outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders that work together to guarantee that music education is part of the school curriculum and accessible to all students.

The Foundation’s mission is to ensure that all children have access to quality music education programs that encourage lifelong participation in music making. The “Best Communities for Music Education” designation for the past eleven years affrms those efforts.

Celebrate with us! Join our students for any of the following spring music department events.

** Spring Concerts & Marching Band Events ** (All concerts are at 7:00 p.m. in the Middle School Auditorium

unless otherwise noted) May 12 Marching Band at Lilac Festival Parade May 16 5th-grade Chorus/Band Concert May 19 Marching Band at Seneca Falls Pageant of Bands May 23 Grades 3 & 4 Chorus/Band Concert May 28 Marching Band at Albion’s Memorial Day Parade May 31 HS Talent Showcase June 5 MS Band/Chorus Concert June 6 HS Band Concert June 7 HS Chorus Concert June 9 Marching Band at Strawberry Festival

A Message from the Superintendent Michael Bonnewell…

Activities and events here at school suggest that spring has arrived, even as the weather has told a different tale. Whatever the weather, April, May, and June ushers in a variety of great events at ACS. Spring sports teams, drama programs, music groups, honor societies, and service-learning projects will all share the results of their efforts. We will soon celebrate our students and their successes this year with a variety of awards programs, class celebrations, and graduations. At the same time as we are ending this year, we are preparing for the next. Those efforts began early this year with budget development, expanded as kindergarten and pre-kindergarten registrations welcomed our newest Purple Eagles, and middle and high school students participated in the course selection process for next year.

The 2018-2019 Proposed School Budget booklet was distributed recently and can be seen online at www.albionk12.org. The budget hearing will be held May 8, while the budget vote will be May 15. If you have questions that are not answered in the budget materials, feel free to call.

Speaking of the website, make sure to explore the site that was redeveloped earlier this year. Our goal is to make information more accessible. A calendar of events and news stories on the front page highlight major district items while events specifc to a particular building may be found on their school pages. The high school guidance and counseling page is full of information for those planning their courses next year or thinking about life after high school and is one of our most frequently updated pages!

There is much to celebrate at Albion Central! While the website provides details, the real experience is here on campus. Use the site to mark your calendar so that you do not miss the opportunity to see the talents of our students at their concerts. Celebrate their successes at our many awards and recognition ceremonies. Cheer them on at a baseball or softball game, a tennis match, or a track and feld meet. Witness their commitment to others in their service learning projects. You will share in my Purple Eagle pride when you see what our students do!

We Have a New ACSD Website! Go to www.albionk12.org

to learn more about the district. • District news and calendar events on the homepage • News for each building on the schools pages • Powerschool • Academic and athletic calendars • Board of Education news • Department information • Community links and much more! • 2018-2019 approved district calendar

Student Leadership Council Partners with Blue Star Mothers

The Student Leadership Council (SLC) held a food and personal items drive for soldiers serving our country. The students collected and sorted many boxes of non-perishable food items, candy, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and deodorant.

The items were donated to The Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., Rochester Chapter #8. Colonel Nancy E. Bird, U.S. Army retired, visited the students during their meeting to thank them for their donations. She shared information about the volunteer organization and some of the service projects they support. She also shared what will happen with their collection and where it will be sent.

Colonel Bird thanked the students for their efforts and encouraged them to continue to develop their leadership skills. She said, “You do not need a title to be a leader.” She told students that others will look up to them to be leaders and encouraged them to continue to set an example for others, be a good role model, have integrity, and don’t ever ask anyone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself.

She left them by saying, “If you take care of your people, your people will take care of you.” The students enjoyed their visit and asked questions about her career and the Organization.

For more information on the Blue Star Mothers of America Rochester Chapter, go to www.bluestarmomsroc.com

Middle School FFA Students Tour Intergrow

Pictured: Kris Gibson gives students a tour of Intergrow facilities.

The middle school FFA club toured Intergrow on Route 98 in Gaines. Kris Gibson, Intergrow vice-president, took the students on the tour.

FFA advisor, Cathy Schmitt, chose a feld trip to Intergrow to expose students to different forms of agriculture in Orleans County. The students were amazed at the size of the facility and the plants. Students learned that one tomato plant will grow in the greenhouse for 10 months and can grow up to 35 feet! The company ships 3,000,000 boxes of tomatoes a year.

Poppy Poster Contest Winners Three high school art students received poppy poster

recognition. They are pictured holding their winning posters. From (l-r): Madison Dugan (frst place), Kaleigh Albanese (third place), and Janae Doty (second place).

The contest is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, Sheret Unit #35. Event chairperson Joyce O’Conner and Auxiliary president Donna Boyce congratulated the students for their time and talent.

The contest is held annually and includes schools from across the county. The contest has very specifc criteria that the students must follow in order to be considered.

The posters will advance to the State Convention in Albany where they will be judged against a whole new group of posters from other counties. The winner of that level will advance to be judged at the National Convention.

The students will be invited to a dinner hosted by the Legion Auxiliary and receive a cash prize for their efforts.

Students Take on “Facing Difference” Challenge

Albion elementary and middle school multicultural clubs are trying to make a difference for young people in need.

The Facing Difference Challenge, through StudentsRebuild. org, invites young people to create a self-portrait and send it to their organization. Each portrait received will generate $6 in funding from the Bezos Family Foundation. The funds will support programs in Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and South Caucasus that help youth overcome confict and tension and build peace.

Anyone can participate by submitting a self-portrait. All you need is a piece of paper, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, and a heart to help. Over 200 students completed 362 self-portraits. The portraits will raise $2,172! Mr. Martin, ffth-grade teacher, coordinated the project and mailed the school portraits on March 29.

Students Compete in Tech Wars The annual Tech Wars competition was held on March 15 at

GCC. The team consisted of 39 students participating in several competitions including CO2 car races, CO2 Jump Trucks, Tower Construction, On-site Engineering, Catapults, Paper Airplanes and T-shirt Logo design. This was the largest Tech Wars Competition with our students competing against 23 other school districts. All of our students performed very well.

Emily Harling & Charley London won 1st place in the Logo Competition. Charlotte Symons took 2nd place in the Logo Competition.

In the CO2 Car races Jason Dash placed 21st out of a feld of 2,300 competing cars.

Jayden Allport & Declan McCue won 1st place in the Tower competition. Ally Knaak, Bonnie DiCureia and Tyler Gibson won 2nd place in the Tower competition.

Ellwood Hafner took 1st place in the CO2 Jump Truck Design competition.

Pictured: Tyler Gibson entered the Tower Competition.

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Students View Government “Close Up”

Pictured in front (l-r): Meghan McDonnell and Sara Hillman. Back row: Richard Gannon, Sarah Brown Dirkes, Kendyll Hadick, Demetrius Gardner, Kira

Sisson, Evan Howard, Susan He, and Nikolas Greean.

A group of students and their club advisor Richard Gannon attended the national Close Up conference in Washington, D.C. They met with Representative Chris Collins, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and a staff director from Representative Louise Slaughter’s offce.

They also found time to meet with Albion Alumnae Sarah Brown Dirkes (Class of 2005). Dirkes is the Director of External Relations for the American Farm Bureau and always makes time to meet Albion students during their trip to Washington.

Close Up is a national program that is designed to give students an “inside look at democracy in action.” Students come together from all across the country to learn more about our government and history through lectures, tours, debates and interactive workshops.

Students participated in mock congress. Each student was assigned to a student-led committee to participate in debates, decide if a bill should be sent to the foor, vote on bills, and create amendments. They also found time to sit in on a committee debate, visit notable monuments, the Korean and Vietnam Memorial, the African American Civil War Museum, the Holocaust History Museum, and Capitol Hill.

Student Meghan McDonnell wrote a refection on her trip and thought the most impactful site she visited was the Holocaust History Museum. The Museum made her “think” and she left with many questions about loss of life on such a large scale and if it can ever truly be measured. She asked how this could be prevented from ever happening again and said, “Never Again is a phrase you see a lot, and as simple as it is, after going through the Museum you understand and agree.”

All in all, the week was an eye opening experience for the students on how our government process works at the federal level.

Congratulations winter scholar athlete teams: Girls’ Basketball, Girls’ & Boys’ Swimming, and

Individual Boys’ Basketball and Wrestling Athletes

View photos on our website.

“Service Above Self” Leadership Panel

Charles D’Amico High School student leaders recently attended a leadership seminar at their school entitled “Service Above Self.”

The event was sponsored and hosted by the AHS Interact Club. Members of the Holley Interact Club were also in attendance.

Students heard from local county leaders about the importance of serving others and their community.

Panelists included ACS Superintendent Mike Bonnewell, Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower, Holley School Board member Melissa Ierlan, former Minority Leader of the NYS Assembly and Vietnam Veteran Charles Nesbitt, and PACT Founder and Pastor Tim Lindsay.

Pennies for Patients The elementary school Student Leadership Council (SLC)

once again participated in the “Pennies for Patients” campaign. Students, staff, and parents donated pennies (and nickels, dimes, quarters) during the month of March. SLC members collected change twice a week from each classroom and delivered their collection to SLC advisors Cathy Hryhorenko or Debra Perry.

Once the change was collected and counted, it was donated to the WNY Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This organization works with cancer patients in the Western New York area to improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

The students collected $1,000!

Pictured: Third graders Anna Grillo and Brittany Lewis add their pennies to the collection.

Pictured: Students help community member Sue Baker choose a bowl.

Hunger in our local community is an ongoing concern for students. Seventh graders learn about hunger in their service-

9th Annual Empty Bowls Event Continues to Raise Awareness of Community Hunger learning class. They visit Food Link in Rochester, organize local food drives, and help pack holiday food baskets for Community Action. But that’s not all. With the help of art teacher Mrs. Kamie Feder, students participate in an Empty Bowls service-learning project to raise money for Community Action’s Food Pantry.

The Empty Bowls event is in its 9th year and is still as popular as ever. Students make bowls out of clay in art class using pottery wheels. Then they decorate and glaze their bowls. After they are fred, students place a personal message in the bowl. It may be a fact about hunger in the community, a quote, or a thank you to the bowl purchaser. Each bowl costs $5 and is sold at an Empty Bowls event in the cafeteria. Purchasers can choose any of the bowls they want and stay for a simple soup and bread supper with the students. After supper, students share a presentation about community hunger.

This year the event raised $535. In total, the group has donated approximately $7,600 to Community Action as a result of this annual event.

MySchoolBucks Online Payment System The district offers several payment options for school lunches. • You may pay with cash at the register • You may send a check made out to “Albion Central School District” • You may pay online through “MySchoolBucks” website * service charges apply If you send money or a check to school with your child, please place it in an envelope marked clearly with your child’s name and teacher’s

name on it as well as the amount.

What is MySchoolBucks? MySchoolBucks is an online service that allows parents to do any of the following: • Check their child’s purchases • Ask to be alerted when a child’s meal account balance runs below an amount the parent sets • Apply money to student meal accounts using a credit/debit card or electronic check

Is there a fee to use MySchoolBucks? Yes, you will be charged a service fee for each transaction that adds money to your child’s account. The Albion Central School District

does not proft from the use of this site.

What if I have more than one child in the district? Do I need multiple accounts? If you have more than one child in the district, you can handle all online payments from one account. You will be assessed a service fee

of $1.95 once per deposit transaction. The system will allow parents to include multiple student deposits on a single transaction.

What items can my child purchase with MySchoolBucks? • Breakfasts • Lunches • Milk

How do I enroll in MySchoolBucks? • Go to www.MySchoolBucks.com and register for an account • You will receive a confrmation email with a link to activate your account • Add your child(ren) using their school name and student ID. If you don’t know your child’s ID number, the system will prompt you to

submit an email to the helpdesk. The ID number will be sent to you. • Make a payment to your students’ accounts with your credit/debit card or electronic check. A $1.95 program fee will apply. You will

have the opportunity to review any fees and cancel if you choose, before you are charged.

What if I have questions about MySchoolBucks? If you have questions, please contact MySchoolBucks directly at: • parentsupport@myschoolbucks.com • 1-855-832-5226 • Visit www.MySchoolBucks.com and click on Help/FAQ’s

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National Honor Society Inducts New Members

Newly inducted members are in the front row (l-r): Alexa Adams, Emma Mathes, Malory Adams, Madison Narburgh, Brylie Hapeman, Kirsten Struble, Trinity Allen, Tess Pettit. Middle row: Gricelda Maldonado, Jace Conn, McKenna Boyer, Kaylyn Holman, Hannah VanEpps, Chantel VanDeGenachte, Emily Caldwell, Marie Reynolds, Jessica Schleede, Natalie Lathrop. Back row: Devin Olles, Jacob Ettinger, Matthew Kovaleski, Enoch Martin, Evan Allen, Harrison Brown, Kirk Ellison, Jessy Cruz.

On March 28th, twenty-six new members were inducted into the Albion High School National Honor Society. These members met the criteria set forth by NHS of scholarship, service, leadership and character. The new inductees were welcomed by current members. The members also took time to recognize staff members who exemplifed the organization’s ideals.

Chemistry teacher Nancy Wickman received the Character Award from NHS member Elisabeth Baker. Elisabeth said Mrs. Wickman has a caring relationship with everyone, is understanding, and easy to talk to. She is also very dedicated to making her AP and Regents level chemistry classes a fun experience for everyone. She takes time out of her own day to make sure each and every one of her students understands the material thoroughly.

Middle School math teacher Jennifer Rowe received the Scholarship Award from NHS member Natalie DiCureia. Natalie said Mrs. Rowe is very passionate about scholarship. She has impacted the lives of many with her outstanding ability to teach. She goes above and beyond to make sure her students know their material and truly understand the connections that they need to make. She will go the extra mile to help any student that may be struggling.

School psychologist Eric Christiansen received the Leadership Award from NHS member Garrett Derisley. Garrett noted he has a great way of interacting with students and takes pride in being able to provide advice to a student or tell them about a program that helps change the student’s life for the better.

Choral director Gary Simboli received the Service Award from NHS member Riley Seielstad. Riley honored Mr. Simboli for

consistently taking on the role of service not just in school but in the community. She said, “He goes out of his way to spread compassion and acceptance in our school.” She also noted that the students see him as a role model because he volunteers his time and talents in the community through local benefts, events, concerts and service projects.

Pictured: Jennifer Blanchard receives the Excellence in Teaching Award from

Natalie DiCureia.

NHS member Natalie DiCureia introduced the Excellence in Teaching Award winner, high school special education teacher and sophomore class advisor Jennifer Blanchard.

Mrs. Blanchard addressed the audience. She encouraged them to step outside of their comfort zone and to embrace their own journey, whatever and wherever it may lead. She reassured students that sometimes the path they are on may change, and there is nothing wrong with change. She told students that they are the only ones in charge of their lives and that they need to own it and make their life the best it can be.

Two Winter Teams Receive Section VI Sportsmanship Awards

The boys’ swim team and the wrestling teams received Section VI sportsmanship awards. The awards are chosen by the Section VI coaches and based on high-quality leadership and character displayed by the team. Congratulations to our swim team and wrestlers for receiving this prestigious award.

Boys’ Swim Team Front: row (l-r): Nikolas Greean, Carlitos Sanchez, Tyler Kast, Matthew Kovaleski, and Sam Sanchez. Middle row: Harrison Brown, Chase Froman, Zachary Kilner, Joshua DePoty, Cameron Ecker, and Jacob Coolbaugh. Back row: Eric Newlands, Thomas Furmanski, Jerico Chudy, and Benjamin Hickman. Absent from photo: Devin Olles, Ryan Krenning, Joshua Manning, Dyllan Beach, and Isaac Coppini.

Wrestling Team Front row (l-r): Tim Wells, Jessy Cruz, Ugene Harrison, Ben Restivo, Preston Flugel, Malachi Sugar, Donamic Farley, Jacob Thom, Alex Hafner, and Lucas O’Connor. Middle row: Cameron Bell, Hunter Albright, Ryan Grandy, Chase Carleton, Scott McMurray, Cole Spierdowis, Shane Hastings, William Freeman, and Myles Brewer. Back row: Hunter Drake, Zach Albright, Mekhi Rivera, Antonio Vallejo-Miller, John De Puy, Cody Wilson, Adonis Guzman, and Ellwood Hafner. Missing from picture: Chester Boring, and Mitchell Knaak.

Students Travel the World with Books

Pictured (l-r): Yana Marie Ruiz and S’Koi Sanders-Smith share one of their favorite books with Mohammad Mohi Meer.

On April 18, 127 middle school students and their families participated in Family Literacy Night. Every participant received a “Literacy Passport” and visited 18 different stations set up by students and staff. Once students visited the station, they received a sticker in their passport. The more stickers they received, the more chances they had at winning a variety of raffes. The stations were: Information Station, Hoag Library, Book Tastings, arts and crafts, Quizlet, science stations (making slime), math book activities, Amazing Race, and BBQ games.

The Information Station was set up for students to stop by and fnd out what their Lexile score was if they didn’t already know it, but most students did. The Lexile score measures a student’s reading ability. Students chose a free book that was within their Lexile range. The ATA (Albion Teacher Association) was on hand to give away additional books to some of the younger siblings that attended with their families.

Book Tasting stations were led by students from Mrs. Baldwin’s classes. They shared highlights of books they enjoyed reading in hopes that others would want to pick up the book and read it. Students had to research the Lexile score of the book and share a favorite passage from the book. Meganne Moore, who helped at one of the Book Tasting tables said, “It was a lot of fun and everyone was so happy and supportive. They all loved hearing about the books.” Meganne chose a book from the Percy Jackson series written by Rick Riorden.

When asked why he chose to lead one of the Book Tasting tables, Mark McCauley said, “I’m a talker. I like to do this and share good books with others.” Mark shared his book selection The Long Haul, by Jeff Kinney. It is part of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series.

All in all, the night was a huge success. Families left with smiles and books and look forward to the next Family Literacy Night!

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